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Who's in and who's out
Gideon Spanier, Evening Standard7 Apr 2008
The energy of London is nowhere more reflected than in the shifting balance of power among its thoughtmakers, trendsetters and leaders. Every week, Gideon Spanier looks at who's in and who's out.
NEW ON THE LIST
FINANCE
LUQMAN ARNOLD, 57
BANKER
The former chief executive of Swiss banking giant UBS, now boss of private equity firm Olivant, is stalking the City for prey. "Lucky", as he is known, wisely pulled out of the bidding for Northern Rock before it was nationalised but his intentions for his old firm, UBS, seem more serious. Forced out in a power struggle in 2001, Arnold has savaged UBS for its huge subprime losses - and he has put his money where his mouth is by buying a block of shares. Born in Calcutta, he was educated at Oundle and lives in St James's.
MAKING MOVES
SOCIAL
ELISABETH MURDOCH, 39
TV EXECUTIVE
Rupert's daughter is showing her transatlantic clout by hosting a highpowered fundraiser for supporters of US Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama at her Notting Hill home. Married to PR man Matthew Freud, Elisabeth has a serious contacts book and is a savvy businesswoman in her own right. Her independent TV production company Shine virtually doubled in size after she recently made a big acquisition in America.
DANCE
CARLOS ACOSTA, 35
After winning an Olivier Award two years ago for his programme of excerpts at Sadler's Wells, the Cuban ballet dancer won over most of the critics last week when he revived the show at the Coliseum. Clad for much of the performance in a loin cloth, Acosta charmed the audiences with his spins, leaps and smile. He escaped a childhood of poverty in his homeland to become one of the most acclaimed dancers of his generation. London hopes to see ballet's Mr Charisma on the stage again soon.
DOWN AND OUT
SPORT
MAX MOSLEY, 67
FIA PRESIDENT
Hard to see how the motor sport boss can save his career in the wake of lurid allegations about his private life. The son of Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley is tough and tenacious. But powerful forces in motor racing have turned against Mosley, who has already had four terms as president of the International Automobile Federation. His invitation to the Bahrain Grand Prix yesterday was withdrawn at short notice.
NEW MEDIA
ANNELIES VAN DEN BELT, 42
ITV.COM BOSS
The former Times newspaper executive has quit the country's biggest terrestrial commercial broadcaster after just 15 months in the job to join a Russian internet outfit. Despite a marketing push in the past year, ITV has not made a big impact with its online business, which includes networking site Friends Reunited.
UP AND COMING
SPORT
MARTIN JOHNSON, 38
ENGLAND RUGBY BOSS
The inspirational World Cup-winning England captain is now moving into management of the national side. West Midlands-born Johnson is being described as the most powerful figure at English rugby HQ in Twickenham since his old boss, Sir Clive Woodward. Johnson's first big test is to head to New Zealand to take on the All Blacks in June.
